Oak Grove hires investigator over alleged delays in house fire rescue

Updated: May 13, 2008 - 12:10 AM

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THE LATEST: Retired Edina Fire Chief Ted Paulfranz was hired to investigate a March 5 Oak Grove house fire. Angry firefighters say delay and indecision during the fire may have led to the death of an elderly man. The vote to hire Paulfranz was 4-1, with Council Member Kristen Anderson arguing that the investigator should not come from the metro area.

DECISION: A contract to hire Paulfranz, Edina's fire chief from 1986 to 1998, was approved by the Oak Grove City Council Monday night. City Administrator Chantell Knauss said Monday that an agreement with Paulfranz was reached last week.

Paulfranz is expected to be paid about $3,000 -- or $100 per hour for an estimated 30 hours of work, Knauss said. The approval of the contract was expected to come on a day that Oak Grove firefighters say they completed their first rescue drills in eight years.

BACK STORY: Oak Grove firefighters have charged that delay by superiors may have cost the life of James Verdi Blackford, 86. A few of those firefighters have yet to sign a gag order by the city regarding criticism of the department.

Two firefighters expressed surprise that rescue drills were held Monday morning and last Wednesday night, saying these were the first rescue drills during Tony Hennemann's eight years as chief. Hennemann announced last month that he will retire in January.

The fire was caused by a child playing with a charcoal-grill starter, the state fire marshal said.

PAUL LEVY